Image forming apparatus, image processing method, and program

ABSTRACT

The above object is achieved by an image forming apparatus connected to a network and used for forming an image on a sheet, comprising: a 1st obtaining unit operable to obtain via the network, with respect to each of one or more image files related to an authenticated user, (i) a corresponding identification information piece and (ii) a corresponding storage-destination information piece indicating a storage destination; a display unit operable to display the obtained identification information pieces; a receiving unit operable to receive a specification of, among the displayed identification information pieces, an identification information piece for an image file that the authenticated user desires to obtain; and a 2nd obtaining unit operable to obtain, via the network, the desired image file corresponding to the specified identification information piece from a storage destination indicated by a storage-destination information piece of the desired image file.

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 11/366,600,filed Mar. 3, 2006 which in turn claims priority to Japanese ApplicationNo. 2005-203387, filed Jul. 12, 2005, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[1] Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to an image forming apparatus connectedto a network, an image processing method and a program.

[2] Related Art

A meeting management system used, in a company or the like that holdsmeetings, for distributing meeting information from meeting organizersto individual participants before each meeting is disclosed in JapaneseLaid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2002-132837.

This meeting management system is configured by connecting a terminal ofeach meeting organizer, a terminal of each participant, and a serverstoring meeting materials therein by a network. The meeting managementsystem allows a meeting organizer to transmit, via the network, meetinginformation to the terminal of each participant before the meeting.Here, a hyperlink to a storage location of a meeting material isinserted into the meeting information so that each participant is ableto browse the meeting material on its own terminal.

However, the meeting management system above is designed so that themeeting organizer unilaterally transmits meeting information to theterminal of each participant. Therefore, for example, if a participantmistakenly deletes the meeting information on its terminal before seeingit, the meeting material cannot be printed out beforehand. In such acase, the participant may ask the meeting organizer to transmit themeeting information again if knowing who the meeting organizer is;however, this will be a redundant operation for the meeting organizer.Furthermore, if the participant does not know who the meeting organizeris, there is no way for the participant to obtain the meeting material.It may still be possible that the participant accesses the server andsearches for the meeting material; however, the search operation willclaim significant time and effort if vast amounts of files are saved onthe server.

This kind of problem is not unique to meeting management systems, andcould happen in a similar fashion to systems used for distributingrelated materials to a lot of participants—for example, distributinglecture notes and other materials to students at schools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims at providing an image forming apparatus, animage processing method, and a program by which a user is able to obtaina necessary material with simpler operation.

No 1 The above object is achieved by an image forming apparatusconnected to a network and used for forming an image on a sheet,comprising: a 1st obtaining unit operable to obtain via the network,with respect to each of one or more image files related to anauthenticated user, (i) a corresponding identification information pieceand (ii) a corresponding storage-destination information pieceindicating a storage destination; a display unit operable to display theobtained identification information pieces; a receiving unit operable toreceive a specification of, among the displayed identificationinformation pieces, an identification information piece for an imagefile that the authenticated user desires to obtain; and a 2nd obtainingunit operable to obtain, via the network, the desired image filecorresponding to the specified identification information piece from astorage destination indicated by a storage-destination information pieceof the desired image file.

The term “image files” here mean data files used to show images, and aretherefore not limited to image data developed into bitmap format. A widerange of files—such as image data compressed or converted to apredefined format—is here included in the image files.

Here, when the 1st obtaining unit obtains the identification informationpiece and storage-destination information piece, these informationpieces may be obtained all together. Or alternatively, the 1st obtainingunit may separately obtain these information pieces.

Additionally, the term “identification information piece” meansinformation to identify a corresponding image file, and suffices if itserves as an identifier. File names and file formats, for example, canbe used as the identification information.

Furthermore, the term “a specification of, . . . (omitted) . . . , anidentification information piece for an image file” here implies, ofcourse, a situation in which one or more identification informationpieces are specified when multiple identification information pieces aredisplayed, but also implies the case of specifying, when only a singleidentification information piece is displayed, the identificationinformation piece.

Assume that the image forming apparatus is applied to a system fordistributing meeting materials as image files, for example. Here,meeting organizers register in advance identification information piecesand storage-destination information pieces of image files with anapparatus on the network so that users who will be attending meetingscan obtain these information pieces from the apparatus. Herewith,individual users are able to obtain image files of desired meetingmaterials from the image forming apparatus at their own convenience. Inaddition, the present invention achieves to save conventional troublesof users due to loss of a meeting notice—such as having to requestretransmission of a meeting notice from a meeting organizer and beingnot able to output a meeting material.

Additionally, since authenticated users are limited only to usersexpected to be participants, meeting materials are indiscriminatelyoutput from the image forming apparatus to nobody, and the security isthus ensured. Furthermore, meeting organizers save the trouble oftransmitting meeting notices again upon request of participants, whichprovides convenience for both meeting organizers and participants.

In addition, the image forming apparatus above may further comprise: astorage unit having a box established as a storage area for theauthenticated user; a 1st storing unit operable to store in the box, asa file information piece, each of the obtained identificationinformation pieces and the corresponding one of the obtainedstorage-destination information pieces; and a 2nd storing unit operableto store, in the box, the obtained image file. Here, the display unitdisplays the file information pieces of the obtained image filecurrently stored in the box and the obtained identification informationpieces currently stored in the box.

Herewith, each user is able to store, in its own box, various types ofdata that the user needs, such as file information pieces and imagefiles. This facilitates data management.

The image forming apparatus above may further comprise: an image formingunit operable to form, on the sheet, the image based on the obtainedimage file.

Herewith, the user is able to obtain printouts of a desired image fileonly by carrying out a simple operation of specifying inputs.

The image forming apparatus above may further comprise: atransfer-destination specification unit operable to receive aspecification of a transfer destination of the desired image file; and atransfer unit operable to execute a transfer of the obtained image fileto the specified transfer destination.

Herewith, the user is able to transfer the obtained image file to anexternal apparatus, and to output the image file on the externalapparatus, for example.

In addition, the transfer unit may receive, from the authenticated user,confirmation of whether the transfer is necessary, and execute thetransfer when the transfer is confirmed as necessary.

Herewith, the user is able to select whether or not the transfer isnecessary, and to perform the transfer of the image file according toneed.

The image forming apparatus above may further comprise: atransfer-destination specification unit operable to receive aspecification of a transfer destination of the storage-destinationinformation piece of the desired image file; and a transfer unitoperable to execute a transfer of the storage-destination informationpiece to the specified transfer destination.

Herewith, the user is able to transfer, to an external apparatus, astorage-destination information piece indicating a storage destinationof the desired image file, and to check the storage destination on theexternal apparatus.

The image forming apparatus above may further comprise: atransfer-destination specification unit operable to receive aspecification of a transfer destination of the storage-destinationinformation piece of the desired image file; a generating unit operableto generate access information which allows, when an external apparatusrequests to access the desired image file, the external apparatus toindirectly access the desired image file via the image forming apparatusitself; and a transfer unit operable to transfer the access informationto the specified transfer destination.

Herewith, a user who uses an apparatus of the transfer destinationcannot directly access the image file. This avoids revealing the storagedestination to this user, and the security is thus ensured.

The image forming apparatus above may further comprise: a setting unitoperable to set a security level. Here, the storage-destinationinformation piece is information which allows, when the externalapparatus requests to access the desired image file, the externalapparatus to directly access the desired image file without involvingthe image forming apparatus. Additionally, the transfer unit transfersone of the generated access information and the storage-destinationinformation piece to the specified transfer destination according to theset security level.

Herewith, setting a security level make it possible to select either theaccess information or the storage-destination information piece istransferred. This allows to make an adjustment between ensuring ofsecurity and convenience.

The image forming apparatus above may further comprise: anaccess-authorized-user judging unit operable to judge, when the externalapparatus requests to access the desired image file based on the accessinformation, whether a user of the external apparatus is authorized toaccess the indicated storage destination. Here, the 2nd obtaining unitobtains the desired image file from the indicated storage destinationwhen the user is determined as authorized, and the transfer unittransfers the image file obtained by the 2nd obtaining unit to theexternal apparatus.

Herewith, image files are transferred only to access-authorized users,and it can be avoided that image files come to be in the possession ofunauthorized users.

The transfer unit may receive confirmation of whether the transfer isnecessary from the authenticated user before the 2nd obtaining unitobtains the desired image file, and prohibit the 2nd obtaining unit fromobtaining the desired image file when the transfer is confirmed asnecessary.

The user selecting that the transfer of the storage-destinationinformation piece is necessary can be interpreted as that the user hasan intention to obtain the image file from an external apparatus. Insuch a case, network traffic can be reduced by the image formingapparatus having a structure that prohibits the acquisition of the imagefile.

The image forming apparatus above may further comprise: an image formingunit operable to form the image on the sheet based on an image file; atransfer-destination specification unit operable to receive aspecification of a transfer destination of the desired image file; atransfer unit operable to transfer an image file to the specifiedtransfer destination; and an output selecting unit operable to selectwhether to cause the image forming unit to form the image based on theobtained image file or to cause the transfer unit to transfer theobtained image file to the specified transfer destination.

Herewith, the user is able to select an output method for the image fileaccording to need, which thus provides convenience to the user.

The display unit may include a display judging unit operable to judge,according to a set security level, whether a display of the indicatedstorage destination is permitted. Here, the display unit displays theindicated storage destination when the display judging unit determinesthat the display is permitted, while not displaying the indicatedstorage destination when the display judging unit determines that thedisplay is not permitted.

Herewith, it is possible not to display the storage destination, whenthe security level is set to “high”, for example. This further enhancesthe security.

The identification information piece and the storage-destinationinformation piece for the each of one or more image files may be storedin an external apparatus on the network. Here, the 1st obtaining unitobtains the identification information pieces and thestorage-destination information pieces from the external apparatus viathe network.

Herewith, when the image forming apparatus has a structure in which anadministrator or the like registers identification information piecesand storage-destination information pieces in advance, the administratorcan perform the registration on the external apparatus even when beingat a remote location from the image forming apparatus. This providesconvenience to the administrator.

The each of one or more image files may be stored in a server on thenetwork. Here, the storage destination is a storage location of the eachof one or more image files in the server.

Herewith, all image files are collectively stored in the server, whichfacilitates management of the image files.

The above object is achieved by an image processing method for an imageforming apparatus connected to a network and used for forming an imageon a sheet, comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining via the network, withrespect to each of one or more image files related to an authenticateduser, (i) a corresponding identification information piece and (ii) acorresponding storage-destination information piece indicating a storagedestination; (b) displaying the obtained identification informationpieces; (c) receiving a specification of, among the displayedidentification information pieces, an identification information piecefor an image file that the user desires to obtain; and (d) obtaining,via the network, the desired image file corresponding to the specifiedidentification information piece from a storage destination indicated bya storage-destination information piece of the desired image file.

The above object is achieved by a program causing a computer to executeprocesses in an image forming apparatus connected to a network and usedfor forming an image on a sheet, comprising the processes of: (a)obtaining via the network, with respect to each of one or more imagefiles related to an authenticated user, (i) a correspondingidentification information piece and (ii) a correspondingstorage-destination information piece indicating a storage destination;(b) displaying the obtained identification information pieces; (c)receiving a specification of, among the displayed identificationinformation pieces, an identification information piece for an imagefile that the user desires to obtain; and (d) obtaining, via thenetwork, the desired image file corresponding to the specifiedidentification information piece from a storage destination indicated bya storage-destination information piece of the desired image file.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects, advantageous effects and features of theinvention will become apparent from the following description thereoftaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustratespecific embodiments of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a structure of an image processing system comprising a fileserver, an authentication server, a PC, and a MFP functioning as animage forming apparatus;

FIGS. 2 a-2 c show, in table format, contents of information stored in astorage unit of the authentication server;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing process operation performed by theauthentication server;

FIG. 4 shows a file information registration screen displayed on anoperation panel of the authentication server;

FIG. 5 shows a participants information registration screen displayed onthe operation panel;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing process operation performed by the fileserver;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a main routine of process operationperformed by the MFP;

FIGS. 8 a-8 d show examples of screen displays presented on an operationpanel of the MFP;

FIG. 9 is an example illustrating, in table format, managementinformation of all files currently stored in a BOX provided in the MFP;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a subroutine operation of ameeting-material obtaining process performed by the MFP;

FIG. 11 shows an example of a transfer screen displayed on the operationpanel of the MFP;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a subroutine operation of an outputprocess performed by the MFP;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing process operation performed by the PCwhen receiving a file from the MFP;

FIG. 14 is an example of a list screen presented on a display of the PC;

FIG. 15 is an example of a material request screen presented on thedisplay of the PC; and

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing process operation performed by the MFPwhen having received, from an external terminal, a request to transmit ameeting material.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following describes an embodiment of an image forming apparatus ofthe present invention in reference to drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a structure of an image processing system 1 including theimage forming apparatus.

The image processing system 1, as shown in the figure, has a structurein which a file server 100, an authentication server 200, a MFP(Multiple Function Peripheral) 300, a terminal 400 that is a PC(personal computer) and the like are connected via a network—here, a LAN(Local Area Network) 2, and are able to exchange various types of datawith each other. The image processing system 1 is used as a meetingmanagement system.

The file server 100 has a storage unit 101 in which image files such asmeeting materials are stored, and has functions to read and transmit arequested image file in response to receipt of a transmission requestfrom outside.

The image files here mean data files used to show images, and aretherefore not limited to image data developed into bitmap format. Suchimage files also include data files used to ultimately show images on asheet or a display—such as data created on a PC by application softwarefor processing documents and the like, and data generated by convertingthe data created by application software into a PDL (Page DescriptionLanguage). Such an image file is hereinafter referred to simply as a“file”.

The MFP 300 is a multifunctional digital composite apparatus comprising,as main components: a scanner unit 301; a printer unit 302; a controlunit 303; an operation panel 304; and a storage unit 305.

The scanner unit 301 reads an image of an original set therein. Theprinter unit 302 performs an image forming operation (i.e., printing)according to publicly-known electrophotographic technology. Controllingthe overall operations of the scanner unit 301 and the printer unit 302,the control unit 303 performs a various range of jobs such as: a scanjob of reading an image of an original source; a copy job of printingthe read and obtained image on a sheet; a print job of conducting printoperation in response to a printing direction from an external terminal;and a file obtaining job of obtaining a file from the file server 100.

The operation panel 304 includes, besides a copy start button and anumeric keypad for setting the number of copy sets, a liquid crystaldisplay unit on the surface of which a touch panel is provided. Inresponse to a direction of the control unit 303, the operation panel 304displays a necessary screen while receiving an input through the numerickeypad, a touch input or the like from the user, and transmitting thereceived input information to the control unit 303.

The storage unit 305 is provided with boxes of user-specific storageareas (hereinafter, referred to as “BOXes”) 306, 307 . . . , and eachBOX here is designed to allow login only after user's identificationnumber (a user ID) and password are entered from the operation panel304. After a BOX is logged in, on the operational panel 304, file namesof individual files stored in the BOX are displayed in a list asidentification information.

After selecting any one of the file names displayed in the list, theuser can print out an image of the selected file, or attach the selectedfile to an e-mail or the like and transfer this to other apparatuses onthe LAN 2. The user can also store, in its own BOX, various files suchas images obtained by scan jobs and meeting materials.

The authentication server 200 comprises an operation panel 201 and astorage unit 202, and performs, for example, authentication of a user ofthe MFP 300.

The operation panel 201 includes a liquid crystal display unit having atouch panel, and receives a touch input or the like from the user.

Stored in the storage unit 202 are: user information including userpasswords for authentication; participants information showingparticipants of scheduled meetings; and file information showing meetingnames and storage destinations for files of meeting materials.

FIGS. 2A-2C show contents of the information stored in the storage unit202 in table format, and are specific examples of user information 211,participants information 212, and file information 213, respectively.

The user information 211 comprises information of individual columnsfrom “ID” to “TRANSMISSION”. User IDs are written in the ID column; usernames, in the NAME column; passwords corresponding to the user IDs, inthe PASSWORD column; information of whether individual users arepermitted to perform print operation on the MFP 300 (here, an opencircle denotes “permitted”, and the same is applied to the following),in the PRINTING column; information of whether individual users arepermitted to use a BOX, in the BOX USE column; and information ofwhether individual users are permitted to transmit images, in theTRANSMISSION column. Since including passwords, the user information 211is registered in advance by an administrator who manages the system.Here, the system is configured so that the administrator is able toregister necessary information from a special registration screen (notshown) displayed on the operation panel 201.

The participants information 212 comprises information of individualcolumns from “ID” to “MEETING”. The ID and NAME columns are the same asthose in the user information 211.

Written in the MEETING column are meeting names (such as A-Meeting) andinformation showing which users are scheduled to take part in (i.e.attend) each meeting. Here, users with open circles are prospectiveparticipants of each meeting.

The file information 213 comprises information of individual columnsfrom “MEETING NAME” to “STORAGE DESTINATION”.

In the MEETING NAME column, the same meeting names as those of theparticipants information 212 are written. In the DATE/TIME column,information showing a date and a time for each meeting is written.

Written in the STORAGE DESTINATION column are storage destinations ofmaterials used for respective meetings (meeting materials). Here, thestorage destinations are storage locations within the storage unit 101of the file server 100.

In the SECURITY column, information showing a security level—either“MEDIUM” or “HIGH”—is written. “MEDIUM” denotes that a correspondingmeeting material can be disclosed to users other than the participantsof the meeting, while “HIGH” denotes that a corresponding material canbe disclosed only to the participants of the meeting. The participantsinformation 212 and file information 213 are registered, in advancebefore the holdings of meetings, by each meeting organizer from aregistration screen 203 (FIG. 4) dedicated to the organizer. Note thatthose passwords are confidential, and users other than the administratorcannot therefore browse them.

The outline of process operation performed in the image processingsystem 1 having such a structure is described next with the aid of FIG.1.

[1] A meeting organizer causes the file server 100 to store therein dataof a meeting material to be distributed to the participants as an imagefile (Process A). In addition, the participants information 212 and fileinformation 213 are registered with the authentication server 200(Process B). Assume here that the user information 211 has already beenregistered with the authentication server 200.

[2] A participant—for example, User—a enters the user ID and password tolog in to its own BOX in the MFP 300 (Process C).

[3] The MFP 300 transmits the entered user ID and password to theauthentication server 200, and requests authentication of User a(Process D).

[4] The authentication server 200 performs authentication using thereceived user ID and password, and informs the MFP 300 of the result. Ifthe authentication of User a is verified, file information of meetingsthat User a is scheduled to attend is transmitted to the MFP 300(Process E).

[5] When the authentication of User a is verified, the MFP 300 giveseach piece of the file information (corresponding to a meeting that Usera is scheduled to attend) from the authentication server 200 a filename, using the name of the meeting for the file name, and stores thepieces of file information in the BOX, while displaying a list of namesof files that are currently stored therein (Process F).

[6] User a can select, from the file names displayed on the list, a filewith a name of a meeting of which material the user desires to obtain(Process G).

[7] The MFP 300 requests a storage destination of the meeting materialof the selected meeting name—here, the file server 100—to transmit themeeting material (Process H), receives the meeting material transmittedfrom the file server 100 (Process I), and then prints out the meetingmaterial, for instance.

Herewith, participants have freedom to check, at any given time, namesof meetings that they are scheduled to attend only by beingauthenticated by the MFP 300, and are also able to obtain printouts ofdesired meeting materials by selecting any of the meeting names.

On the other hand, if having once stored meeting material in the fileserver 100 and registered the participants information 212 and fileinformation 213 with the authentication server 200, meeting organizersthen become entirely free from work such as material distribution evenif there are a lot of participants. Thus, this leads to saving themeeting organizers time and effort.

The following specifically describes process operations of theauthentication server 200, file server 100, and MFP 300.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing process operation performed by theauthentication server 200. As shown in the figure, the authenticationserver 200 receives an input of the user information 211, and stores thereceived information in the storage unit 202 (Step S101).

Then, the authentication server 200 receives inputs of the participantsinformation 212 and file information 213 (Steps S102 and S103).

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate examples of screens displayed on the operationpanel 201 for receiving the inputs.

FIG. 4 shows a registration screen 203 for the file information 213.

On the registration screen 203, a MEETING NAME input field 2031, aDATE/TIME input field 2032, a SECURITY input field 2033, and a STORAGEDESTINATION input field 2034 are provided as shown in the figure. Withrespect to each input field, when its display section is touched, adifferent screen for character and symbol input—specifically speaking, ascreen with a keypad whose keys are arranged in the same fashion asthose on a keyboard—is displayed.

The meeting organizers can input, specify, and correct necessaryinformation—for example, a meeting name for the MEETING NAME input field2031, and a storage destination (e.g. address) of the meeting materialfor the STORAGE DESTINATION input field 2034—from the keypad screen. Theinput information is displayed in corresponding input fields.

FIG. 5 shows a registration screen 204 of the participants information212.

It is designed to switch to the registration screen 204 from theregistration screen 203 when a button 2035 at the bottom of theregistration screen 203 in FIG. 4 is touched.

On the registration screen 204, a USER ID column 2041, a NAME column2042, and an ATTENDANCE INFORMATION column 2043 are provided. In theUSER ID column 2041 and NAME column 2042, user IDs and names which arethe same as those registered in advance as the user information 211 aredisplayed.

Information regarding attendance/absence of the meeting is displayed inthe ATTENDANCE INFORMATION column 2043. In the ATTENDANCE INFORMATIONcolumn 2043, input boxes 2045 to 2048, and 2049 . . . corresponding toindividual users are provided, and when a display section of each inputbox is touched, a selection screen for selecting attendance/absence isdisplayed for the meeting of the MEETING NAME input field 2031. Themeeting organizer can selectively input attendance/absence for each userfrom the selection screen.

When an end button 2044 at the bottom of the registration screen 204 istouched, the input process is considered to be finished, and allinformation input on the registration screens 203 and 204 is stored in apredetermined storage area of the storage unit 202 as the fileinformation 213 and participants information 212 (registration of eachtype of information: corresponding to Process B in FIG. 1).

Referring now back to FIG. 3, when receiving a request for userauthentication from the MFP 300 (“YES” in Step S104) (corresponding toProcess D in FIG. 1), the authentication server 200 performs userauthentication by referring to the user information 211 in the storageunit 202 (Step S105), and transmits the result to the MFP 300 havingrequested the authentication (Step S106).

Subsequently, receiving a request to transmit file information of theuser from the MFP 300 (Step S107), the authentication server 200 readsthe requested file information from the file information 213 in thestorage unit 202 and transmits the read file information to the MFP 300(Step S108) before returning to Step S101 (corresponding to Process E inFIG. 1).

In the case where an authentication-target user is “User Z”, forexample, it can be seen from the participants information 212 in FIG. 2that User Z is scheduled to attend “B-Meeting” and “D-Meeting”. Theauthentication server 200 reads, for each of “B-Meeting” and“D-Meeting”, information in the MEETING NAME, DATE/TIME, SECURITY, andSTORAGE DESTINATION columns from the file information 213, and transmitsthe read information to the MFP 300 as the file information of User Z.Note that, when there is no authentication request (“NO” in Step S104),the authentication server 200 returns to Step S101.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing process operation performed by the fileserver 100.

As shown in the figure, when receiving a request to store a meetingmaterial from a meeting organizer (“YES” in Step S301), the file server100 performs a process of storing the requested meeting material in fileformat in the storage unit 101 (Step S302) (corresponding to Process Ain FIG. 1).

Examples of such a process to be performed are: receiving data, such asa document of meeting material, via the LAN 2; and reading data from acompact disc or another recording medium and storing the read data as afile.

When requested from the MFP 300 to transmit a meeting material (“YES” inStep S303), the file server 100 reads the requested meeting materialfrom the storage destination in the storage unit 101 and transmits theread meeting material to the requestor—here the MFP 300—(Step S304)before returning to Step S301. Note that, when there is no request (“NO”in Step S301), the file server 100 moves to Step S303.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the main routine of process operationperformed by the MFP 300. The process operation is implemented when aBOX function is selected by a user on a menu screen (not shown) of theoperation panel 304. In addition, FIGS. 8A to 8D illustrate examples ofscreens displayed on the operation panel 304 during the execution of theprocess operation.

As shown in FIG. 7, the MFP 300 displays, on the operation panel 304, anaccess screen for accessing a BOX, and receives inputs of a user ID anda password (Step S201) (corresponding to Process C in FIG. 1).

FIG. 8(A) shows a display example of an access screen 310.

As shown in the figure, a USER ID input field 311 and a PASSWORD inputfield 312 are provided on the access screen 310. It is designed todisplay, for each input field, a different screen for inputting anumerical value or the like when the display section is touched. Theuser can, for example, input and correct the user ID and the like fromthe different screen for each input field.

When an end button 313 of the access screen 310 is touched, the inputprocess is considered to be finished. Then, the MFP 300 transmitsinformation showing the input user ID and password to the authenticationserver 200, and requests authentication of the user (Step S202)(corresponding to Process D in FIG. 1).

When receiving the authentication result from the authentication server200 (Step S203) and determining that the authentication has been failed(“NO” in Step S204), the MFP 300 displays a message indicating that theprocess is cancelled due to the authentication failure on the operationpanel 304 (Step S215) before terminating the process.

On the other hand, when determining that the authentication has beenverified (“YES” in Step S204), the MFP 300 requests the authenticationserver 200 to transmit file information related to the user—specificallyspeaking, pieces of file information, each of which corresponds tomeetings that the user is scheduled to attend (Step S205) (correspondingto Process D in FIG. 1).

Receiving the file information from the authentication server 200, theMFP 300 stores, in the BOX specific to the user, the received fileinformation in file format, assigning a file name to each piece of thefile information with the use of a corresponding meeting name includedtherein (Step S206). The following describes an example in which a nameof the user is “Z” and a BOX specific to User Z is “BOX 306”.

FIG. 9 is an example illustrating, in table format, managementinformation of all files currently stored in the BOX 306.

As shown in the figure, a USER ID column, a number (No) column, anATTRIBUTE column, a DATE/TIME column, a SECURITY column, and a STORAGEDESTINATION column are provided in a table 3061. Information for eachcolumn is written by the control unit 303.

In the USER ID column, the ID of User Z—here, “2”—is written. In thenumber column, numbers in the order of file storage are assigned.

In the ATTRIBUTE column, attributes of stored files are written.Specifically speaking, in the case when a stored file is an imageobtained by scanning or sent from another apparatus, a denotation“IMAGE” is written in the column.

In the case when a stored file is file information, its meeting name isused as a denotation and provided in the column. As described above, thefile information only includes information such as a meeting name and astorage destination and does not include image data, and the fileinformation pieces and images are therefore distinguished by information(i.e. denotations) in the ATTRIBUTE column.

In the DATE/TIME column, dates and times of meetings included in fileinformation pieces are written, while information on security levels andstorage destinations is written in the corresponding columns. With theexample of User Z, the received file information includes two meetingnames “B-Meeting” and “D-Meeting”. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, thefile information is separated into a file No. 3 for “B-Meeting” and afile No. 4 for “D-Meeting” (i.e. pieces of the file information).

Referring now back to FIG. 7, in Step S207, the MFP 300 displays, on theoperation panel 304, a list screen showing a list of file names of allfiles stored in the BOX 306.

FIG. 8B is an example of a list screen 320.

As shown in the figure, the list screen 320 displays information showingan attribute stored in the ATTRIBUTE column of the table 3061 above foreach file. As to the file information, meeting's date and time stored inthe DATE/TIME column are also displayed.

By referring to the list screen 320, User Z is able to check what filesare stored in its own BOX 306. With regard to meetings, User Z can alsocheck which meetings the user is scheduled to attend.

With respect to each file, when the display section is touched (i.e., afile is specified), a different screen is displayed in which User Z canmake a selective input for what process is performed on the file, andthen the process selected by the user in the different screen isperformed.

Specifically speaking, when the display section of “IMAGE” is touched,the MFP 300 determines that an image has been selected (“NO” in StepS208), and displays a selection screen for printing, transferring or thelike (not shown). Subsequently, when printing is selected by User Z, forexample, data of the selected image file is read from the storage area,and a printing process is performed based on the read data (Step S216).

On the other hand, when the display section of “meeting name” istouched, the MFP 300 determines that a meeting has been selected (“YES”in Step S208), and further judges either “high” or “medium” the securitylevel for the selected meeting name is set to (Step S209). The judgmentis determined by referring to information written in an area, within theSECURITY column of the table 306, corresponding to the meeting name.

Determining that the security level is not “high”—namely “medium” (“NO”in Step S209), the MFP 300 displays, on the operation panel 304, aselection screen for receiving a selective input from User Z in terms ofan output method (printing or transferring) of the meeting material(Step S210).

FIG. 8C is a display example of a selection screen 330.

As shown in the figure, information on a storage destination of themeeting material is displayed in a mid-section 333 of the selectionscreen 330. The display of the storage destination is achieved byreading information written in an area, within the storage-destinationcolumn of the table 3061, corresponding to the meeting name.

In addition, in the lower section of the selection screen 330, a printbutton 331 and a transfer button 332 are provided. The print button 331will be selected by the user to print out the meeting material. On theother hand, the transfer button 332 will be selected to transfer themeeting material to an external terminal without printing it out on theMFP 300, or to transfer only file information to an external terminal.

On the other hand, determining that the security level is “high” (“YES”in Step S209), the MFP 300 displays, on the operation panel 304, aselection screen 340 different from the above selection screen 330 toreceive a selective input from User Z (Step S211).

FIG. 8D is a display example of the selection screen 340.

As shown in the figure, information on a storage destination of themeeting material is not displayed in the selection screen 340. Thereason that the display of a storage destination is changed according tothe security level will be described hereinafter.

User Z is able to select an output method by touching a button forspecifying the output method—here, the print button 331 (341) or thetransfer button 332 (342)—in the selection screen 330 (340).

Receiving a selective input for the output method from User Z (StepS212), the MFP 300 performs a meeting material obtaining process and anoutput process (Steps S213 and S214).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a subroutine operation of themeeting-material obtaining process.

As shown in the figure, the MFP 300 judges that either printing ortransfer has been selected as the output method (Step S221). This isachieved by determining that either printing or transfer was selected inStep S212 above.

Determining that printing has been selected (“YES” in Step S221), theMFP 300 reads information written in an area, within the STORAGEDESTINATION column of the table 3061, corresponding to the meeting name,attempts access to the read storage destination (corresponding toProcess H in FIG. 1), and obtains a file of the meeting material fromthe storage destination (Step S225) (corresponding to Process I in FIG.1).

For example, when the meeting name “B-Meeting” is selected, an address“/user/purlic/resume/mtg-b/presentation.ppt” of the storage destinationcorresponding to “B-Meeting” in the table 3061 is accessed. In thisregard, it can be said that the “meeting name” corresponds toidentification information for identifying a file of the meetingmaterial, while “storage destination” corresponding to storagedestination information indicating a storage destination of the file.The control unit 303, operation panel 304 and the like function as adisplay unit for displaying identification information when processes ofStep S207 and the like are carried out, while functioning as a receivingunit for receiving a specification of, from among at least one piece ofidentification information, identification information of a file thatthe user desires to obtain when processes of Step S208 and the like arecarried out.

Then, the MFP 300 stores the obtained meeting material file in the BOX306 (Step S226), and returns to the main routine.

For example, when the meeting material is for “B-Meeting”, the meetingmaterial is registered in the table 3061 as a new file with (i) theattribute denoted as, for example, “material B-Meeting”, which includesa description of “material” and the meeting name in order to distinguishitself from scanned images and other images, and (ii) a file number,e.g. 0005, added thereto.

On the other hand, when determining that not printing but transfer hasbeen selected (“NO” in Step S221), the MFP 300 displays, on theoperation panel 304, a transfer screen for transfer (Step S222), andreceives selective inputs for a transfer destination and a transfer file(Step S223).

FIG. 11 is a display example of a transfer screen 350.

As shown in the figure, a TRANSFER DESTINATION field 351 and a TRANSFERFILE SELECTION field 352 are provided on the transfer screen 350.

It is designed to display, when the display section of the TRANSFERDESTINATION field 351 is touched, a different screen for selecting atransfer method (e-mail, HTTP, or Hypertext Transfer Protocol, FTP, orFile Transfer Protocol, etc.) and inputting an address of the transferdestination's apparatus. Thus, User Z can select, input, and/or correctthe transfer method and destination from the different screen.

The TRANSFER FILE SELECTION field 352 is a field for receiving, from theuser, a selective input for transferring either meeting material or fileinformation. User Z can select either one of them by touching thebuttons 353 or 354. The example shown in the figure depicts a case inwhich the meeting material has been selected (the solid line).

When an end button 355 is touched by User Z, the receiving process ofthe selective input is considered to be finished, and the MFP 300 thenmoves to Step S224. In this regard, it can be said that, in the casewhen processes of Steps S222, S223 and the like are carried out, thecontrol unit 303, operation panel 304 and the like function as atransfer-destination specifying unit for receiving a specification of atransfer destination.

In Step S224, the MFP 300 judges whether the meeting material isselected as a file to be transferred.

Here, determining that the meeting material has been selected (“YES” inStep S224), the MFP 300 moves to Step S225. In this case, acorresponding file of the meeting material is obtained from the fileserver 100.

On the other hand, determining that the meeting material has not beenselected—i.e., determining that the file information has been selected(“NO” in Step S224), the MFP 300 judges the security level set for theselected meeting name (Step S227). Determining that the security levelis “medium” (“NO” in Step S227) by referring to the table 3061, the MFP300 generates File Information A as file information to be transferred(Step S228) before returning to the main routine. Here, File InformationA is information including a meeting name, a date and a time, and astorage destination of the meeting material, and is generated by readinginformation corresponding to the selected meeting name from the table3061.

When the security level is determined “high” (“YES” in Step S227), theMFP 300 generates File Information B (Step S229) before returning to themain routine.

Here, File Information B is information indicating a meeting name, suchas “B-Meeting”, and a storage location of the BOX 306 in the storageunit 305—for example, “http://MFP . . . /BOX/ID2”.

Note that, in the case where a file to be transferred is fileinformation (“NO” in Step S224), the process of Step S225 is not carriedout, and meeting material is accordingly not obtained; however, astructure may also be adopted that obtains and stores meeting materialin a BOX even when file information is transferred.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a subroutine operation of the outputprocess.

As shown in the figure, the MFP 300 judges that either printing ortransfer was selected as the output method in Step S212 above (StepS231).

Determining that printing has been selected (“YES” in Step S231), theMFP 300 reads a file of the meeting material already obtained from thefile server 100 and stored in the BOX 306, and prints out the read file(Step S232).

For example, in the case of a meeting having a meeting name of“B-Meeting”, a file of which attribute in the ATTRIBUTE column of thetable 3061 is “material B-Meeting” is read. Herewith, User Z is able toobtain, from the MFP 300, printouts of the meeting material for“B-Meeting” that the user wants.

When determining that not printing but transfer has been selected (“NO”in Step S231), the MFP 300 judges that either meeting material or fileinformation has been selected as the transfer file in Step S224 above(Step S233).

When determining that meeting material has been selected (“YES” in StepS233), the MFP 300 transfers a file of the meeting material to aspecified transfer destination (Step S234). The following describes anexample of when the transfer destination is the PC 400.

On the other hand, determining that file information has been selected(“NO” in Step S233), the MFP 300 transmits, to the PC 400, a file ofeither File Information A generated in Step S228 above or FileInformation B generated in Step S229 (Step S235) before finishing theprocess.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing process operation performed by the PC 400when receiving a file from the MFP 300.

As shown in the figure, the PC 400 stores a file from the MFP 300 in aspecial depository (hereinafter, referred to as a “meeting folder”)provided in a storage unit 401 (Step S251). The PC 400 has the storageunit 401 comprising a hard disc drive or the like, and a display 402.When an icon of the meeting folder presented on the display 402 isclicked with a mouse or the like, the PC 400 determines to be requestedto display a screen showing a list of files in the meeting folder (“YES”in Step S252), and displays a list screen (Step S253).

FIG. 14 shows an example of a list screen 410.

As shown in the figure, a MEETING NAME column 411 and a TYPE column 412are provided in the list screen 410. With respect to each file, ameeting name and a type of the file are displayed in the MEETING NAMEcolumn 411 and the TYPE column 412, respectively. A file transmittedfrom the MFP 300 is any one of meeting material, File Information A, andFile Information B. The transmitted file includes information indicatinga type and a meeting name, and this information is read out.

User Z can select a file that the user wants to process by clicking onthe display section of a meeting name in the MEETING NAME column 411.

Referring now back to FIG. 13, the MFP 300 judges which file wasselected on the list screen 410 in Step S255.

Here, determining that File Information B was selected as the type(“YES” in Step S255), the PC 400 causes the display 402 to present amaterial request screen for requesting the MFP 300 to transmit meetingmaterial (Step S256).

FIG. 15 shows a display example of a material request screen 420.

As shown in the figure, a USER ID input field 421, a PASSWORD inputfield 422, a MEETING NAME display field 423 and an ADDRESS field 424 areprovided in the material request screen 420.

User Z is able to input, via a numeric keypad, its own user ID andpassword in the USER ID input field 421 and the PASSWORD input field422, respectively. Note that an exact storage location of a BOX in thestorage unit 305 of the MFP 300, included in File Information B, isdisplayed in the ADDRESS field 424. The figure shows an example in whicha storage location of the BOX 306, http://MFP . . . /BOX/ID2, isdisplayed.

In a display section 425 of the ADDRESS field 424, a link for access tothe BOX 306 is provided. An access attempt is launched when the displaysection 425 is clicked with a mouse.

Referring now back to FIG. 13, the PC 400 receives inputs of a user IDand a password from the material request screen 420 in Step S257.Subsequently, when the display section 425 of the ADDRESS field 424 isclicked, the PC 400 transmits the input user ID and password togetherwith information indicating a meeting name to the MFP 300, and attemptsto access the BOX (Steps S258 and S259).

Receiving the user ID and password from the PC 400, the MFP 300transmits these to the authentication server 200, and requests theauthentication server 200 to examine whether the requestor is User Zitself who is allowed to access the BOX 306, as described hereinafter.When the requestor is authenticated as User Z itself, the MFP 300 reads,from file information stored in the BOX for which an access request hasbeen made, a storage destination of a meeting material corresponding tothe meeting name received from the PC 400. Then, the MFP obtains a fileof the meeting material from the read storage destination, andsubsequently transmits, to the PC 400, the obtained file together with anotification that the requestor has been authenticated as User Z. In thecase when the requestor is not authenticated, the MFP 300 only informsthe PC 400 accordingly.

Receiving the notification that the user has been authenticated as wellas the file of the meeting material from the MFP 300 (Step S260), the PC400 (i) stores the received file in the meeting folder of the storageunit 401, (ii) launches application software corresponding to the fileformat, and (iii) presents contents of the meeting material on thedisplay 402, using the application software (Step S261) before finishingthe process. File Information B is access information which allows, whenPC 400 attempts to access the file, the PC 400 to indirectly access thefile via the MFP 300.

On the other hand, receiving a notification that the requestor has notbeen authenticated as User Z from the MFP 300 (Step S262), the PC 400causes the display 402 to present a message to this effect (Step S263)before finishing the process.

When determining that not File Information B but a meeting material orFile Information A was selected in Step S255, the PC 400 (i) moves toStep S264, (ii) launches, from among installed application software, onecorresponding to the selected file format, and (iii) causes the display402 to present contents of the meeting material or File Information A(Step S264) before finishing the process.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing process operation performed by the MFP300 when having received a request to transmit meeting material from anexternal terminal.

As shown in the figure, the MFP 300 receives, from an externalterminal—here, the PC 400, a request for access to a BOX together withinformation indicating a user ID, a password, and a meeting name, as atransmission request of meeting material (Steps S271 and S272).

The MFP 300 transmits the received user ID and password to theauthentication server 200, and requests authentication (Step S273). Thisprocess is the same as Step S202 above.

After receiving the authentication result from the authentication server200 (Step S274) and determining that the user has been authenticated(“YES” in Step S275), the MFP 300 searches, from file information storedin the BOX for which the access request has been made, a storagedestination of a meeting material corresponding to the meeting namereceived from the PC 400, and then reads the storage destination. Forexample, assume that a meeting name is “B-Meeting” and a BOX for whichthe access request has been made is the BOX 306. Here, by referring tothe table 3061, “/usr . . . presentation.ppt” is read as a storagedestination of the meeting material corresponding to the meeting name“B-Meeting”.

The MFP 300 obtains a file of the meeting material by accessing the readstorage destination (Step S276). Then, the MFP 300 transfers theobtained file to the external terminal, i.e. the PC 400 (Step S277).Here, it is configured that, when requested to transmit the meetingmaterial from an external terminal, the MFP 300 identifies the storagedestination by reading, from the STORAGE DESTINATION column of themeeting material stored in the table 3061, one corresponding to themeeting name; however, the present invention is not limited to the abovemethod, and any method is applicable if the MFP 300 is able to obtain,from another apparatus, a meeting material for which an externalterminal has made a transmission request.

The following is an example of feasible methods. With respect to eachmeeting name, a link is provided to a storage destination of a meetingmaterial. Then, when receiving an access request, the MFP 300 jumps to acorresponding link to read and obtain a file of a meeting material. Inthis case, FTP, for example, can be used for file transfer.

On the other hand, determining in Step S275 that the authenticationfailed, the MFP 300 informs the PC 400 accordingly (Step S278), and endsthe process.

As has been described, according to the present embodiment, individualparticipants can, at their own convenience, print out a meeting materialon their own and transfer it to an external terminal, using the MFP 300.Therefore, it saves conventional troubles of users due to loss of ameeting notice—such as having to request retransmission of a meetingnotice from a meeting organizer and being not able to output a meetingmaterial, for example. In addition, since authenticated users arelimited only to users expected to be participants, meeting materials areindiscriminately output from the MFP 300 to nobody, and the security isthus ensured.

In addition, if users on the part of the meeting organizers once carryout a registration process of the file information 213 and the like,they can save time and effort of transmitting meeting notices again uponrequest of the participants, which provides convenience for both meetingorganizers and participants.

In addition, users on the part of the participants are able to select totransmit (transfer) file information to the external PC 400. Whenselecting File Information A on the list display screen 410 of the PC400, the users are able to learn a storage destination of the meetingmaterial on the display 402 of the PC 400. Accordingly, if a link isprovided so as to connect the display section of the storage destinationand the address of the meeting material, for example, a correspondingfile can be obtained by directly accessing the file server 100 from thePC 400.

Since a storage destination of a meeting material is not included inFile Information B, and is therefore not displayed, the users are notable to know the storage destination when File Information B isselected. In this case, it is possible to only indirectly obtain acorresponding file via the MFP 300.

Assume that, although a user is supposed to transmit file informationfrom the MFP 300 to its own terminal—here, the PC 400, the usertransmits it not to the PC 400, but mistakenly to someone else'sterminal, for example. In such a case, the storage destination of themeeting material cannot be determined on the other person's terminal.Even if attempting to access the MFP 300, the other person will not beauthenticated unless knowing a password of the user, and therefore, themeeting material will not be transferred to the other person's terminalfrom the MFP 300. Thus, the present embodiment has a significantadvantage in security. This is also the case when file information hasmistakenly been copied or moved to other person's BOX 307 or the like.

In addition, in the case when the security level of a meeting materialis set to “high”, like in the selection screen 340, it is designed thata storage destination of the meeting material is also not displayed onthe operation panel 304 of the MFP 300. Accordingly, if users on thepart of the meeting organizers have set the security level of themeeting material to “high” when registering the file information 213with the authentication server 200, it can be avoided not only to revealthe storage destination of the meeting material to all users includingthe participants but also to let users other than the participantsobtain the meeting material.

The present invention is not confined to the image forming apparatus,and may be an image processing method of obtaining image files formeeting materials and the like. The present invention may also be aprogram that achieves the method by a computer. In addition, the programof the present invention can be stored in various computer-readablerecording medium, such as magnetic discs (e.g. magnetic tapes andflexible discs), optical and flash-memory recording media (e.g. DVD-ROM,DVD-RAM, CD-ROM, CD-R, MO, and PD). The present invention may beproduced and transferred in the form of such recording media, or may betransmitted and supplied in the form of a program via networks, asrepresented by various wire/wireless communications including theInternet, broadcasting, telecommunication lines, and/or satellitecommunications.

The program of the present invention does not have to include allmodules to cause a computer to execute the processes described above. Byusing various general-purpose programs—for example, communicationprograms and programs included in the operating system (OS)—that can beinstalled on another information processing apparatus, each process ofthe present invention may be carried out by the computer. Accordingly,all the modules above need not always be stored in the above-mentionedrecording media of the present invention. Also, it is not necessary totransmit all the modules. Furthermore, predefined processes may beperformed using special hardware.

[Modifications]

The present invention has been described based on the embodiment;however, it is a matter of course that the present invention is notconfined to the above embodiment, and the following modifications arealso within the scope of the present invention.

[1] Although, in the above embodiment, the user authentication isperformed by the authentication server 200, it is designed that theauthentication may be performed by the MFP 300, for example. This can beachieved by having a structure in which registration of the userinformation 211 is made in the MFP 300 and the authentication is carriedout using an input password and the like together with the userinformation 211. In addition, if the MFP 300 has a structure to conductthe same processes performed by the authentication server 200, forexample, registration of the participants information 212 and fileinformation 213 can also be performed in the MFP 300. This results ineliminating the necessity of exchanges—such as authentication requestsand result notifications—between the MFP 300 and the authenticationserver 200, which in turn leads to a reduction in network traffic.

[2] In the above embodiment, a “high” or “medium” security level is setto each meeting material itself, and whether or not a storagedestination of the meeting material is displayed on the MFP 300 and theexternal PC 400 is changed according to the setting; however, the way tochange the display/undisplay is not limited to this.

For example, instead of the security level, information of a departmentname (e.g. Group A) on the part of the meeting organizer is registeredas the file information 213. Then, the MFP 300 receives, in Step S201 ofFIG. 7, an input of a department name from the user in addition to theuser ID and the like, and judges in Step S209 whether the departmentnames match each other. Here, the MFP 300 displays the selection screen330 if they match each other (“NO” in Step S209), while displaying theselection screen 340 when they do not match each other (“YES” in StepS209).

Herewith, if a participant is a user belonging to the same department(Group A), the meeting organizer can promote business by activelydisclosing a storage destination of the meeting material and makingavailable of the meeting material, while ensuring the security since thestorage destination is not revealed to people belonging to anotherdepartment (e.g. Group B).

In addition, in the case when the security level for communication withan external terminal is set with respect to each MFP, or when the levelis set according to a security policy, display/undisplay of a storagedestination of a meeting material may be changed according to such alevel. In brief, display/undisplay of a storage destination of meetingmaterial can be changed according to a security level set for any of thefollowing: meetings, meeting materials, and MFPs.

Note that, when a structure that does not set security levels isemployed, either File Information A or File Information B is generatedin Step S228 or S229 above, for example, and the generated informationmay be transmitted to another apparatus.

[3] In the above embodiment, the user authentication is performed usinga user ID and a password; however, the present invention is not limitedto this, and can utilize any method that allows identification of users.For example, a method based on private-key encryption where randomnumbers and encryption are combined may be used.

In addition, the present invention is not confined to a method in whichthe user manually inputs its own ID and the like from the operationpanel 304. Instead, the present invention may employ a method that acard, into which a RF-ID (Radio Frequency Identification) chip with IDor the like is written thereto is loaded, is brought closer to a readingunit provided in the MFP 300, and thereby the ID or the like is readfrom the RF-ID chip to perform the user authentication.

[4] In the above embodiment, meeting names (file names) are used asidentification information for files of meeting materials; however, thepresent invention is not limited to these, and any identificationinformation (identifiers) for identifying each of the files can be used.

For example, information such as a file format, a created date and timefor each file, or a size may be used as the identification information,and such information may be managed, in the table 3061, in associationwith a storage destination of each file. In this case, a file format orthe like is displayed on the list screen 320 as the identificationinformation for each file so as to receive a selective input from theuser.

[5] The above embodiment has a structure in which the user can make aselection between “printing” and “transferring” a meeting material orfile information to another apparatus; however, a structure may beadopted that receives confirmation of the necessity of only “printing”,or only “transferring” from the user. For example, when “transferring”is confirmed as necessary, the meeting material or file information willbe printed. In this case, a screen for receiving a user input in termsof whether or not the transfer is necessary may be displayed, and thenecessity of the transfer can be determined from this screen.

[6] In the above embodiment, the MFP 300 obtains, with respect to allmeeting materials related to an authenticated user, meeting names(identification information) for these individual meeting materials andstorage destination information of the storage destinations. However,the present invention is not limited to the case handling “all” meetingmaterials, and may obtain, with respect to one or more (i.e. at leastone) meeting materials from among the “all”, identification informationand storage destination information of the meeting materials, forexample.

Specifically speaking, a closing date for acquisition is assigned toeach meeting material, for example, and the MFP 300 may obtain onlymeeting materials whose closing dates have not yet passed, or the MFP300 may only obtain meeting materials of meetings which are held withina week from the present time (i.e. does not obtain those of meetingsheld more than a week later from now), for instance. A participant mayforget about a meeting if the time until the meeting is held is toolong. This can be avoided by setting in advance an acquisition conditionas above.

In addition, the above explains the case where one of (one or more)meeting names is specified by the user on the list screen 320. However,for example, when multiple meeting names are displayed, the user may beallowed to specify multiple (i.e., all or at least two) meeting namesout of them. In this case, processes—such as acquisition of an imagefile of each specified meeting name—are sequentially performed.

[7] The above embodiment explains an example where the present inventionis applied to a system for distributing meeting materials; however, thepresent invention is not confined to “meetings”. The present inventionis broadly applicable to lectures at schools and other situations inwhich files of relevant materials need to be distributed to a lot ofparticipants.

[8] The image forming apparatus is not limited to a MFP, and may beapplied to a copier, a printer, a fax or the like. In addition, thepresent invention includes a structure in which two or more of the aboveembodiment and modifications are combined.

Although the present invention has been fully described by way ofexamples with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be notedthat various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilledin the art. Therefore, unless otherwise such changes and modificationsdepart from the scope of the present invention, they should beconstructed as being included therein.

1. An image forming apparatus connected to at least a file server via anetwork and used for forming an image on a sheet, comprising: a 1stobtaining unit operable to obtain via the network, with respect to eachof one or more image files related to an authenticated user, (i) acorresponding identification information piece and (ii) a correspondingstorage-destination information piece indicating a storage destination;a display unit operable to display the obtained identificationinformation pieces; a receiving unit operable to receive a specificationof, among the displayed identification information pieces, anidentification information piece for an image file that theauthenticated user desires to obtain; a requesting unit operable torequest to the file server to transmit the image file that theauthenticated user desires to obtain; and a 2nd obtaining unit operableto receive from the file server, via the network, the desired image filecorresponding to the specified identification information piece from astorage destination indicated by a storage-destination information pieceof the desired image file.
 2. The image forming apparatus of claim 1,further comprising: a storage unit having a box established as a storagearea for the authenticated user; a 1st storing unit operable to store inthe box, as a file information piece, each of the obtainedidentification information pieces and the corresponding one of theobtained storage-destination information pieces; and a 2nd storing unitoperable to store, in the box, the obtained image file, wherein thedisplay unit displays the file information pieces of the obtained imagefile currently stored in the box and the obtained identificationinformation pieces currently stored in the box.
 3. The image formingapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an image forming unit operableto form, on the sheet, the image based on the obtained image file. 4.The image forming apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: atransfer-destination specification unit operable to receive aspecification of a transfer destination of the desired image file; and atransfer unit operable to execute a transfer of the obtained image fileto the specified transfer destination.
 5. The image forming apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein the transfer unit receives, from the authenticateduser, confirmation of whether the transfer is necessary, and executesthe transfer when the transfer is confirmed as necessary.
 6. The imageforming apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a transfer-destinationspecification unit operable to receive a specification of a transferdestination of the storage-destination information piece of the desiredimage file; and a transfer unit operable to execute a transfer of thestorage-destination information piece to the specified transferdestination.
 7. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: a transfer-destination specification unit operable toreceive a specification of a transfer destination of thestorage-destination information piece of the desired image file; agenerating unit operable to generate access information which allows,when an external apparatus requests to access the desired image file,the external apparatus to indirectly access the desired image file viathe image forming apparatus itself; and a transfer unit operable totransfer the access information to the specified transfer destination.8. The image forming apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: a settingunit operable to set a security level, wherein the storage-destinationinformation piece is information which allows, when the externalapparatus requests to access the desired image file, the externalapparatus to directly access the desired image file without involvingthe image forming apparatus, and the transfer unit transfers one of thegenerated access information and the storage-destination informationpiece to the specified transfer destination according to the setsecurity level.
 9. The image forming apparatus of claim 7, furthercomprising: an access-authorized-user judging unit operable to judge,when the external apparatus requests to access the desired image filebased on the access information, whether a user of the externalapparatus is authorized to access the indicated storage destination,wherein the 2nd obtaining unit obtains the desired image file from theindicated storage destination when the user is determined as authorized,and the transfer unit transfers the image file obtained by the 2ndobtaining unit to the external apparatus.
 10. The image formingapparatus of claim 6, wherein the transfer unit receives confirmation ofwhether the transfer is necessary from the authenticated user before the2nd obtaining unit obtains the desired image file, and prohibits the 2ndobtaining unit from obtaining the desired image file when the transferis confirmed as necessary.
 11. The image forming apparatus of claim 1,further comprising: an image forming unit operable to form the image onthe sheet based on an image file; a transfer-destination specificationunit operable to receive a specification of a transfer destination ofthe desired image file; a transfer unit operable to transfer an imagefile to the specified transfer destination; and an output selecting unitoperable to select whether to cause the image forming unit to form theimage based on the obtained image file or to cause the transfer unit totransfer the obtained image file to the specified transfer destination.12. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display unitincludes a display judging unit operable to judge, according to a setsecurity level, whether a display of the indicated storage destinationis permitted, and the display unit displays the indicated storagedestination when the display judging unit determines that the display ispermitted, while not displaying the indicated storage destination whenthe display judging unit determines that the display is not permitted.13. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the identificationinformation piece and the storage-destination information piece for theeach of one or more image files are stored in an external apparatus onthe network, and the 1st obtaining unit obtains the identificationinformation pieces and the storage-destination information pieces fromthe external apparatus via the network.
 14. The image forming apparatusof claim 1, wherein the each of one or more image files is stored in aserver on the network, and the storage destination is a storage locationof the each of one or more image files in the server.
 15. An imageprocessing method for an image forming apparatus connected to at least afile server via a network and used for forming an image on a sheet,comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining via the network, with respect toeach of one or more image files related to an authenticated user, (i) acorresponding identification information piece and (ii) a correspondingstorage-destination information piece indicating a storage destination;(b) displaying the obtained identification information pieces; (c)receiving a specification of, among the displayed identificationinformation pieces, an identification information piece for an imagefile that the user desires to obtain; (d) requesting to the file serverto transmit the image file that the authenticated user desires toobtain; and (e) receiving from the file server, via the network, thedesired image file corresponding to the specified identificationinformation piece from a storage destination indicated by astorage-destination information piece of the desired image file.
 16. Theimage processing method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:(e) receiving a specification of a transfer destination of thestorage-destination information piece of the desired image file; (f)generating access information which allows, when an external apparatusrequests to access the desired image file, the external apparatus toindirectly access the desired image file via the image forming apparatusitself; and (g) transferring the access information to the specifiedtransfer destination.
 17. The image processing method of claim 16,further comprising the steps of: (h) setting a security level, whereinthe storage-destination information piece is information which allows,when the external apparatus requests to access the desired image file,the external apparatus to directly access the desired image file withoutinvolving the image forming apparatus, and the step (g) transfers one ofthe generated access information and the storage-destination informationpiece to the specified transfer destination according to the setsecurity level.
 18. The image processing method of claim 16, furthercomprising the steps of: (h) judging, when the external apparatusrequests to access the desired image file based on the accessinformation, whether a user of the external apparatus is authorized toaccess the indicated storage destination, wherein the step (d) obtainsthe desired image file from the indicated storage destination when theuser is determined as authorized, and the step (g) transfers the imagefile obtained in the step (d) to the external apparatus.
 19. The imageprocessing method of claim 16, wherein the step (g) receivesconfirmation of whether the transfer is necessary from the authenticateduser before the step (d) obtains the desired image file, and prohibitsthe step (d) from obtaining the desired image file when the transfer isconfirmed as necessary.
 20. A computer-readable medium storing a programwhich, when executed by a processor, causes a computer to executeprocesses in an image forming apparatus connected to at least a fileserver via a network and used for forming an image on a sheet,comprising the processes of: (a) obtaining via the network, with respectto each of one or more image files related to an authenticated user, (i)a corresponding identification information piece and (ii) acorresponding storage-destination information piece indicating a storagedestination; (b) displaying the obtained identification informationpieces; (c) receiving a specification of, among the displayedidentification information pieces, an identification information piecefor an image file that the user desires to obtain; (d) requesting to thefile server to transmit the image file that the authenticated userdesires to obtain; and (e) receiving from the file server, via thenetwork, the desired image file corresponding to the specifiedidentification information piece from a storage destination indicated bya storage-destination information piece of the desired image file.